The year 2013 wasn’t a very good year for the Philippines having struck by one typhoon after another, the most notorious of which was, of course, Typhoon Haiyan. As we earlier reported, it left thousands homeless and an entire city wiped out. As if things can’t get any worse, the bunkhouses or temporary shelters that were being built were wrecked by another typhoon. Talk about an ill-fated end to the year.

And then aid started to pour from the international community. A lot have pledged to help the country in the entire rebuilding process, which, according to experts may take more than five years to complete. Good thing the Philippines is not alone.

Apart from the domestic jobs generated by the rebuilding process, countries like Singapore have already opened doors for Filipino construction workers, as well as workers from neighboring countries like Sri Lanka. For this, you can point the finger at how Filipino workers have shown and continue to show exemplary work ethic and attitude, not just in Singapore, but all over the world.

Image credit: news.asiaone.com

The Lion City aims to fly in some 200 Filipino construction workers per month, the first batch of which is expected to arrive on March. Said workers obtained their skills certification at the Overseas Testing Center (OTC) in the Philippines. These workers underwent rigorous tests and training to ensure their readiness for the job.

In the said testing center, they were trained in six trades, which include electrical wiring installation and tiling, so you can be sure each worker has a good working knowledge of the essential tools like the diamond blade and diamond core bit.

In September of last year, the first batch of 20 Sri Lankan workers has already set foot in Singapore.